I'm desiging an amp rack and I'm thinking about having plexiglas "windows" with engraving on them. I'd like to see some pics of people who have somthing similar and i'm curious what toolsyou used to do it with.

thanks

req

12-16-2006, 10:56 PM

kinda different application, but the same principals.
http://www.bit-tech.net/modding/2005/06/17/Engraving_for_modder/1.html

hope that helped some :)

baseballer1100

12-16-2006, 11:01 PM

There was a thread on this. Frosty plexi i believe.

ss3079

12-16-2006, 11:02 PM

^Good information.

You could always find a bead/sandblaster and use that for the frosting effect as well.

I'm interested in what you'll be engraving. Should look good - any plans to light it up?

req

12-16-2006, 11:08 PM

HI STEVIE!

engraving is teh easy. just do it from the back, and use a media blaster (you can rent them for cheap from teh rent-a-store place down the block for a day)

davidfre21

12-16-2006, 11:12 PM

hell u could just scuff it up with so sandpaper

baseballer1100

12-16-2006, 11:13 PM

hell u could just scuff it up with so sandpaper

Yeah but a dremel is so much cooler. Ygpm btw.

Calikid

12-16-2006, 11:14 PM

etching cream

davidfre21

12-16-2006, 11:25 PM

Yeah but a dremel is so much cooler. Ygpm btw.

returned

and sandpaper > dremel because it will make the engraving even

dkmesa

12-16-2006, 11:53 PM

I used a coned-shaped rotary attachment on my Dremel to engrave a Z emblem on the amp rack of my 300zx. It turned out well, but I don't have pics since I'm not at my home computer

req

12-16-2006, 11:56 PM

returned

and sandpaper > dremel because it will make the engraving even

media blaster > sandpaper

because sandpaper will usually leave lots of random deep scratches. ive tried, it does not look smooth - maybe some 1000 grit or something might have worked better, i tried with 440 wet paper.

Radioflyer97

12-17-2006, 12:05 AM

in recent history, i've used a woodburner with various tips achieve the desired effect, it doesn't jump around as much as the dremel or other hand rotory tools.

The plan calls for LEDs or cold cathodes to shine on the plexiglas highlighting the engraved area

thoughts on how do do this the best?

req

12-17-2006, 12:55 AM

the woodburner sounds like it could discolor the plexi, but thats just me assuming. best bet is to print out your design (backwards) and tape it to the plexi, and "trace" your engraving into the plexi using the print as a template.

if you want to be neat, you could tape the whole surface of the plexi, and use an xacto knife to cut out the negative areas and sandblast them, then etch with a dremel to get a 3d looking effect.

its all about texture. CCFL's are great with plexi, just put it under the edge and try to hide it.